Let's get this tank on the right track

To make a long story short, this tank has been running for 2 years. The first 6 months were great, then I lost it completely to algae
(lack of knowledge/experience), and then sort of gave up and let go of high-light, co2 method, etc.
Since about 2 months now, I am working hard at getting it back in good shape, reading/studying, cleaning, planting, water change, etc.
and I seem to be on the right track, it's getting much better.

Firstly, let's talk about CO2, it seems to be the number one issue.
I recently installed a drop checker, and if I did everything right (5 DKh) it looks like my pH controller and KH testing was right on the number.
This is fine however I still have some doubts... I should have over 40ppm of CO2 in my tank, my fish are doing fine, no pearling, and still a bit of algea
(green stuff on the glass, and the brownish stuff on the leaves of slow growing plants) but compared to what I had before, it's manageable...
So, should I try to push it up a little further? Or should I rather address photoperiod, or water circulation?
As I said, I have another CO2 reactor on the way, that should help, but I do realize I have a filter/circulation issue here (perhaps just add a canister filter?)

Looks a little better now, but still cloudy. I have just installed another Aquaclear 70 bulkhead with quickfilter, I am sure this will help the circulation and clear the water.

Now for dosing, well... I am still experimenting (yes, testing everyday, I think I am addicted, LOL) trying to figure out what's going on exactly.
Here is what I have been dosing lately:

CSM+B (iron): about 150ml per 2 days (dissolved 2 tbs./500ml)
Phosphates (kh2po4): about 30ml per 2 days (dissolved 1 tbs./500ml)
Nitrates KN03: this is funny here... after WC, I will dose 100ml (dissolved 2 tbs./500ml), this will bring it back up, but then (according to my shitty test kits)
it does not seem to go down (actually the opposite...) So maybe I have a dead fish somewhere.
Excel: 25ml per day. Baking soda, I/2 tbs. (dissolved) every water change (weekly).

I know I should just dump the test kits and dose the powders directly in the tank and save myself a lot work,
but I am not exactly sure what I should do.
I will get a better (high-res.), more recent picture when I have a chance.

I know I should just dump the test kits and dose the powders directly in the tank and save myself a lot work,
but I am not exactly sure what I should do.

Click to expand...

I would just dump the test kits and dose the powders directly in the tank and save yourself alot of work

Tom can work you out an EI schedule if you ask him nicely, or, follow the link in my sig to the nutri calculator which will work out what you need. If youve calibrated your test kits then its possible that you have an idea of whats going on, but you really dont need to do that much work.. EI simplifies things perfectly, then all you have to do is focus on matching your CO2 to your lighting, eg. making sure your drop checker stays happy colours, make sure its in good flow and you change out the contents regularly.

Bear in mind if your limiting by a nutrient in any way, once you balance that back out, and the plants begin to grow properly again their need for CO2 will increase a whole lot.

It does look though that your dosing a fair amount anyway, so you might want to check, recheck and check again your CO2.

Also, Id consider doing a 3 day blackout.. itll shift all the algae in one sweep, the plants wont mind at all.. and then when you uncover everything, your starting with the tank strongly in your favour, rather than continually fighting the algae.

Well... I would love to have a "personalized" dosing schedule (please! ) that would help a lot, since I now have a fairly well planted tank,
just moving things around at this point. And... Am I forgetting something? Should I add some K... or MG?

And yes, I am starting to understand why Tom hates those testkits...
I have just made a comparison with 3 different NO3 test kits, from the same brand (Hagen), I get 3 different results... LOL.
Plus, it's very hard to interpret the shade correctly... it goes from nothing, to light pink, to a vibrant purple, LOL
Right now, I have a "dark pink" or purple if you prefer... what does that mean? you tell me, LOL

To answer your request for a "personalized" dosing regime, you can use an existing one already out there with great success, like me Here is an old post by Greg Watson which you may find very handy. It pretty much outlines all you need to do for EI, and even includes a timetable. The guideline presented is for a well planted and high light tank, which fits yours exactly. All you need to do is adjust it according to your tank volume.

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